Sunday is the Breast Cancer Walk. It seems funny that a full year has gone by since my Overcomer Club made the trek through the streets of C.R.. When I cross the finish line this year, I won't be able to snatch my wig (you all remember Roschelle, right?) right off my head and give her a toss In the air. It's the real stuff growing this year.

Alec is spending this coming week-end with his dad, but when Jenna asked him if he wanted to come home early so he could go to the walk on Sunday or to stay with Dad (which he really enjoys), he thought for a minute and then said, "Go on the walk." I think he was amazed at the amount of people and the atmosphere that was created by everyone attending. All the kids did really good last year. Not a one of them pooped out.

The wedding of my son and his new wife went off well. The drive to Minnesota was good and the weather was heavenly. After meeting his new in-laws, I see why Dan is so happy there. They are the friendliest, fun people. My girls, Cate and Abby looked sensational in their black gowns, and their up-do hair styles. I, on the other hand, looked a little frayed and messy. Cate was going to do my hair, since I didn't know of any place to call for an appointment, but after she got herself and little sis done with hair and make-up, Lon informed me that we had only 15 minutes before we had to leave for picture taking. Whatever. I stuck the curling iron in my hair a few times and called it good. Unfortunately, I ended up looking like one of the Friar monks with a kinda square, boxy hairstyle. Anyhoo, the ceremony was very pretty and the reception went well. Several of our friends made it up North to attend, so that was fun, too. I was quite angry at myself, because I could not get the batteries to work in either on of my cameras, so I ended up throwing them both on the kitchen counter and left them at home. I felt like a crummy mother for not getting some photos of such an important day. But Tammy is sending me a disc, so maybe I can post some pics later.

However, when I got home I got one camera to work, so I have taken a few pics to share. I planted some sunflower seeds really late in the season and kinda forgot about them. The other morning, I was driving down my lane very early, and what did I seek?? Three BIG sunflowers. I actually shouted out loud, "I LOVE THIS!" Then I took a pic of my latest fall yard decoration (which looks very much like last year's), and then took some shots of the new roof and siding, that has finally gotten down after over a year from the big storm.

EToday Jenna went to a meeting at school about Alec's progress and was given some copies of writing assignments that he did in May of this year. He was given subjects to write about and I guess I was one. Jen said when she read this one at the meeting that she was fighting back tears, and then some others ended up in the same condition. Let's see if you like what Alec wrote . Remember that he does not usually talk in full sentences, just using main words unless we remind him to "talk in sentences", so when he writes, he is still thinking in abbreviated language.

MY GRANDMOTHER NAMED JANENE. I PLAYED HOT WHEELS WITH GRANDMOTHER. ALEC WINS. GRANDMOTHER HAS A SHARKRUISER. RED SHARKRUISER. DRIVE DOWN THE HILL. GRANDMOTHER TAKES ME TO THE FAMILY STORE. I BUY THE TELETUBBIES VHS TAPES. GRANDMA MAKES VERY YUMMY CHOCOLATE CAKE. GRANDMOTHER THROWS THE DIRTY CLOTHES DOWN INTO THE LAUNDRY CHUTE. I LOVE MY GRANDMOTHER.

SHE GIVES HER THE KIDS ATTENTION. GRANDMA COMES OVER. PLAYING BOARD GAMES OF SNAKES AND LADDERS. WE PLAYED CHECKERS. ALEC WINS. GRANDMA LOOKS LIKE HAPPY. GRANDMA WAS SICK. GRANDMA IS BETTER NOW. ALEC IS HAPPY. BECAUSE GRANDMA IS FELL BETTER NOW.

wow

I am overjoyed that he feels this way and is able to communicate things to let us know. Again, wow.

I must clear up a few things. I do drive a red car, but it is an Explorer. However, if he wishes to call it a Sharkruiser, I think that is just fine. We DO go to The Family Store along with Goodwill, to find his VHS tapes for his collection (which is nearing several hundred tapes!) I do not have a laundry chute, but I think he wishes I did so I would be like the people in the movie "Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.". We do play board games and many times he does beat me, even though I sincerely try to win. And yes, I was sick but I am much better now. Jenna had talked to him about things when I was diagnosed and as things went along. He DID listen, and understand, and have feelings about what was going on with me.

Well. I guess we all know now that Jenna likes to cook and to eat (actually she is quite thin and does not have a big appetite at all). And isn't it comforting to know that she practices such good hygiene. I'm sure that Alec's teacher was glad to hear that she washes her hands after she goes to the bathroom. LOL I think the airport, and flights and Florida flamingos comes from the fact that when he was about four or five, he and Jen flew down to Florida two years in a row and he loved it! We took him to the Tampa Zoo and he watched the pink flamingos for a long. time. Every year after that , in February, he mentions going to the airport and flying. I think he was saying that Mom appreciates it when he does something naughty and learns not to do it again.

I AM SORRY THAT TODAY'S POST IS INCOMPLETE. I HAVE TRIED TWICE TO POST IT IN IT'S ENTIRETY, BUT SOME OF IT WON'T STICK. I HAVE WRITTEN IT ALL TWICE BUT I'M POOPED, SO I WILL TRY TO GET IT ALL TOMORROW.

WHEN PREPARING TO TRAVEL, LAY OUT ALL YOUR CLOTHES AND ALL YOUR MONEY. THEN TAKE HALF THE CLOTHES AND TWICE THE MONEY.

Unknown

Whew! Just got back from three days in Las Vegas with sis-in-law (partner in crime) Nina, and we had a blast!!! The flight was uneventful (thank you, Jesus), and our hotel was gorgeous. Nina is a fantastic negotiator and got us upgraded to a posh room. We saw the bright lights, we saw a lot of rich folks, we saw the good, the bad and the ugly. I never saw so many twenty-something girls walking (and limping) around in five inch high heels, and blingy dresses that barely covered their underwear. Then there were the larger-sized girls who were wearing evening clothes (even during the day) that were two sizes too little. Whatever. We got tickets to see Rock of Ages (musical) and Menopause - The Musical. Both were of Broadway quality. When we go to the theater for Rock of Ages, we presented our cheap seats tickets, but the lady taking them, told us that she had much better seats we could use if we wanted to move up front. (Ya think?) We ended up second row center. Now, this show is a little racy, and at one point the aging rock star mentioned something funny yet a little off-color (I won't say what at this time), while pointing right at me, "Just like THAT woman!" When we went to see the other show, at the end, the actresses told us woman in the audience to celebrate the "Changes of our lives" and to come up on stage. Well, Nina looked at me and said, "we'll never see these people again." , so up we went and joined in with others doing the can-can kick to music. One of the four main characters was playing the part of an Iowa housewife. After the show I got to shake her hand and tell her that I really WAS an Iowa housewife.

Last night we ventured down to Fremont Street in Old Town. We found out that we could buy bus tickets for eight dollars and travel down and back for that amount. SCORE! What we didn't realize was that the darn bus stopped at every other corner picking up people going to and from work. Forty-five minutes later we get to the Golden Nugget. It was sooo loud there, since Friday all the Labor Day vacationers showed up in town. So we just decided to taxi it back to our hotel. But guess what? No cab drivers would take us because our place was too close and they didn't want to take little jaunts because they wouldn't make as much money. What were we to do???? Then we found a couple with three kids who were trying to get to Circus Circus which is right across the street from our place and no one would take them either. So we went together and got a limo that was sitting there waiting for larger groups. Between the two groups of us, it didn't cost anymore than our individual cab rides would have. That was my first limo ride. (actually, people, it's nothing special).

After seeing the bright lights and going lots of places, and riding the Monorail all over, it was time to come home. After getting up at 3:30 to catch our 4:10 shuttle to the airport, we were ready and left our hotel room which was on the 24th floor. As we walked down the hallway, Nina mentioned that something smelled a little like smoke or at least something hot. Then all the hall lights flickered off and on a few times. When we got to the elevator bank, we pushed the down button. An elevator binged, but then the light went out and the door didn't open. On the opposite wall, an elevator door opened and we got on. Nina said she was getting a bad feeling about this situation, but I said, "We will be down and in the lobby in about 60 seconds. It will be fine." Fortunately, that is what happened. But when the lobby doors opened, a couple asked us how in the world did we get down in an elevator since all the power had gone off in the hotel and everything had gone totally dark. Yipes! It appears that we missed being stuck in the elevator by a matter of a few seconds. Or, the doors could have not opened at all, and we would have had to drag our suitcases down 24 floors in total stairway darkness. We probably would have missed our shuttle and possibly our flight. Oy vey.

The rest of the story is that we got home safe and sound and tired. :)

I got a special treat the day before we left for our trip. Friend Betty C. was in town and we had lunch together. We warned the waiter that we would be there for a while and we were. It was so good to catch up with her. Bet is like friend Sandy R. from Georgia. Whenever we get together, we just pick up the conversation wherever we left off the last time. It was so good to see her again.

Oh, if you are wondering why the title of this post is "SKINNY ANKLES" it is because after walking hundreds of miles on my trip, I'll bet you I don't drop a single pound or inch. . . except in my ankles which really got a workout. By golly, at least I'll have the skinniest ankles around. Or should I call them "SKANKLES" now?

Janene...

... was diagnosed with breast cancer on November 11, 2013. This is a place for all of the people who love and care about her to get the information about her treatment and her personal experience of kicking cancer's ass, (sometimes from her daughter's perspective). It's hard to stand by and not be able to do anything to help. Writing gives my mom an outlet and allows both of us to share information during this time. Therefore, we blog :)